Im getting super stressed about picking a new lens for my R5. Ive been shooting portraits for a local clothing brand here in Chicago and need something sharp by next month. I read a ton of forums saying the RF 85mm f/1.2 is the gold standard but its honestly way out of my budget and looks heavy as hell. Then people keep pointing to the RF 85mm f/2, but im worried the focus speed is gonna let me down during shoots? Should I just bite the bullet and get an adapter for an EF 85mm 1.4 or am I overthinking the whole thing... so lost.
To add to the point above: honestly, you might be overthinking the autofocus speed if you look into the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art EF. I know the previous reply mentioned having adapter headaches, but I have been running that lens on my R5 with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R for months without any real issues. It is way more affordable than the RF 85mm f/1.2 but still gives you that pro-level sharpness and buttery bokeh which is basically essential for brand work. If you scout around on the used market you can save a ton of cash. Dont let the fear of an adapter stop you because the price-to-performance ratio here is pretty unbeatable. You can honestly take those savings and put them toward better lighting gear for your shoots, which counts way more anyway.
Listen, dont stress about the gear too much, your R5 is a beast. In my experience shooting portraits for years, you dont always need that heavy glass.
- The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is actually punchy enough for most work. Honestly, the focus speed isnt as bad as the forums make it sound, and the image stabilization is a life saver if you're handheld.
- If you really want that professional look, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM with the control ring mount adapter is a killer route. You get the L-series quality and snappy focus without the massive price tag of the f/1.2. You're definitely overthinking it. Grab the EF glass and the adapter, save your back and your wallet. Let me know if you need help finding a good deal on the adapter.
Honestly, I had a rough time with the adapter route. I tried using the older EF mount glass on my R5 and it was just a headache. The balance felt completely off and the autofocus hunting was way more frequent than I wanted during actual client sessions. It gets really frustrating when you're mid-shoot and the camera just refuses to lock on correctly. Here is what you should watch out for:
- Adapters add unnecessary bulk and rarely feel as solid as native glass.
- Older lenses can sometimes struggle with the speed of the R5 focusing system in low light.
- You might end up losing that sharpness you need if the adapter has any slight alignment issues. Seriously, skip the adapter. It feels like a stopgap measure that usually ends up costing you more in frustration later on.
